A busy New Britain Township intersection is on track to become a 4-way stop after supervisors voted unanimously Monday night to advertise an ordinance authorizing the traffic change at New Galena and Sellersville roads.
The Board of Supervisors approved advertising the ordinance in a 5-0 vote, clearing the way for the township and PennDOT to finalize the conversion.
Stop signs already exist on Sellersville Road in both directions. The new configuration will add stop control to New Galena Road, making all approaching traffic stop before entering the intersection.
Township Manager Dan Fox told supervisors the change stems from a PennDOT-backed traffic study and has been in the works for months.
“This is something that has been out there for a little bit,” Fox said.
He noted that while Sellersville Road is maintained by the township, New Galena Road is a state road, requiring both PennDOT and township approval for the 4-way stop.
PennDOT installation pending
New Britain Township Police Chief Richard Clowser said PennDOT has already issued a work order and will be responsible for installing the additional stop signs on New Galena Road.
“The purpose is more or less to make it so that we can enforce the stop sign violations,” Clowser said.
Vice Chair Cynthia Jones asked whether the township would notify residents when the new traffic pattern takes effect. Clowser said the township would share information once PennDOT completes the installation.
Warning period before ticketing
Fox said drivers will have an adjustment period before citations begin.
“Sixty days, right, Chief?” Fox asked during the discussion. “From the time then you can give warnings, but after 60 days then if you blow the stop sign, tickets and enforcement can happen.”
Supervisors acknowledged that winter weather could delay PennDOT’s installation schedule. Chair MaryBeth McCabe joked that recent snow cover might make it difficult to even locate the intersection.
Study supported four-way stop
According to the ordinance language, the change is based on a Nov. 29, 2024 report from Mark M. Hood, P.E. of the Pennsylvania Local Technical Assistance Program, which determined a 4-way stop was appropriate at the intersection.
Under the ordinance, drivers who fail to stop could face penalties under Pennsylvania’s Vehicle Code once the enforcement period begins.
The ordinance must still be formally adopted after the required public advertisement period.
